Method of and means for tying weavers&#39; knots



Jan. 24, 1928.

' B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed 001:. 1. 1923 13 sheets-sheet 1 Dmsc-nolv OF MOVEMENT- TOWARD ODSERVER.

SEE FIG-4| Jan. 24, 1928. 1,657,407

B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1. 1.92s 13 sheets-sheet 2 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 fmdwzfaz 13H; pezezofl B A PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1. 1923 528 1 6 ZOFQMEO Jan. 24, 1928.

Jan. 24, 1928.

B. A. PETERSON METHQD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed got. 1. 1925 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 \%Z%RZZ 13.4 Peiezs 072 Jan. 24, 1928.

B. A, PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1, 1923 Jan. 24, 1928.

B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 1, 1925 fid w i k? B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Jan. 24, 1928.

Filed Oct. 1, 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Jan. 24, 1928. 1,657,407

B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1. 1923 1a sheets-sheet 10 [lei 622103.-

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B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1. 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 III Jan. 24, 1928.

1,657,407 B. A. PETERSON METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR TYING WEAVERS KNOTS Filed Oct. 1, 1923 .13 Sheets-Sheet 12 f? a. 26 HQ 27 I II I I I ill TQ BARBER-GQLMAN 60 ml A GUEPURATIUN @JE ILLTNQTS.

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The invention pertains to the textile art, and has for its general aim the provision of an improved method of and means for tying weavers knots.

Because of the superiority of weavers hnots, long recognized in the textile art, many attempts have been made in the past to tie such knots by mechanically operated means and while in some instances the mechanisms or devices produced have been capable of tying the desired knot or a sirenpal lation thereof, in no case so far as l am aware has. a knotter mechanism been constructed which would operate with a sutficiently high degree oi accuracy and precision to be capable or practical use. The primary object of my invention is to provide a knotter mechanism operating in a novel manner to unite two thread ends with rapidity and certainty.

Tn the present embodiment of the invention, I have shown a kno't-tying'mechanism lorming part of a tender mechanism which is mounted upon a winder and which serves to unite the ends of the threads of the yarn masses or cheeses being formed to the ends of the threads of reserve bobbins suitably supported upon the winder. A winder of the type to which my invention is applicable is illustrated and described in Patent No. 1,267,977 to Howard D. Colman. In this patent a-winder-tending mechanism is mounted for movement around the winder and carries a knot-tying mechanism operable in the travel of the tending mechanism to unite the exhausted and reserve threads at the proper time, the reserve threads being suitably sup} ported for engagement by the tying mechanism in its travel, and the exhausted threads of the cheeses being drawn into operative association with the knot-tying mechanism by an arm which is commonly referred to as a down-take arm.

While the present embodiment of the invention is a mechanism applicable to winders, it is to be understood that the invention is not thus limited, for obviously various other knotters may be constructed within the scope of the invention.

In forming weavers knots according tow a loop is first formed in the.

my invention, reserve thread This loop, with its strands crossed, constitutes one of the main loops of the knot to be formed. A temporary loop is then formed out of the crossed strand of the first loop and this temporary loop is drawn through the first loop so as to form a single bow-knot ot which the bow is the temporary loop. Through this temporary loop the exhausted thread endis now inserted, and the temporary loop together with the inserted thread is drawn out of the first loop, forming a loop in the exhausted thread which upon a straightening-out of the temporary loop in the crossed strand of the reserve thread, encircles said strand. The loop last formed constitutes the second one of the two coaoting interengaging loops comprising the weavers knot.

in carrying out the method above generally set torth, T preferably employ a hoolr member, hereinafter termed the reserve thread hook, having a combined reciprocatory and rotatory movement.' Initially this hook moves into engagement with the reserve til thread held between a pair of thread clamps,

and forms a bight or loop therein constituting the first or main loop formed, while thus forming the main loop, the reserve thread hook is rotated through approximately 180 degrees to cross one strand of the mainloop over the other. An elongated member hereinafter termed the knotter post, which is mounted for longitu-dinal and also lateral movement, now

throu h 180 degrees in order to untwist the stran sof the temporary loop caused by the said twisting operation. a;

Thereupon, the exhausted thread, having been moved by the down-takearm into a position substantially parallel with the initial position of the reserve thread, and enot the knot to be gaged by a thread clamp, is now seized by a second hook, hereinafter termed the exhausted thread hook, which hook has moved through the temporary loop and now returns drawing with it the end of the exhausted thread so as to insert it through the temporary loop. Further reverse rotation combined with a forward longitudinal movement, is now imparted to the reserve thread hook while the knotter post is moved laterally, whereby to effect the disengagement of the temporary loop from this hook. Tension is now placed upon the reserve thread by a movable member, hereinafter termed the reserve thread take-up arm, so as to draw the temporary loop with a bight of the inserted exhausted thread through the main loop to form the second permanent interengaging loop. Finally, the knotter post is moved longitudinally so as to be withdrawn from the interengaging loops, and proper tension placed upon the threads to draw the knot taut.

In the accompanyingdrawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front end elevation of the winder tending mechanism mounted upon the frame of a winder and having mounted thereon a knotter mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the outer side of the knotter mechanism. Parts moving toward this side are hereinafter referred to as moving outwardly.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the inner or winder side of this mechanism. Parts moving toward this side are hereinafter referred to as moving inwardly.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the knotter mechanism taken substantially in the place of line 4-4 of Fig. 2, the inner end being at the ri ht.

Figs. 5 and 6 are horizontal sections taken respectively approximately in the planes of lines 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary detail views of the upper reserve thread and exhausted thread clamps, looking in directions at right angles to each other.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the upper reserve thread clamp and the exhausted thread hook and shear.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the knotter mechanism taken substantially in the same plane as Fig. 4 but showing the parts in a difierent operative position.

Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views illustrating respectively the upper reserve thread clamp and shear and t e lower reserve thread clamp and slack take-up arm.

Fig. 13 1s a perspective view partially diagrammatic in character, showing the parts in the position which they occupy after the reserve thread hook has formed the first or main loop and crossed strands thereof.

Figs. let to 20 are perspective views partially diagrammatic in character, and Fig. 20 an e evational view, illustrating the operation of tying the knot, as follows:

Fig. 1 1 illustrates the knotter post after it has moved forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 13 in the first step of the operation of forming the temporary loop.

Fig. 15 illustrates the reserve thread hook about to move outwardly with respect to the winder tender mechanism into engagement with the crossed over strand, the latter having first been raised (broken lines) to per mitthe hook to pass beneath it and then lowered to bend it around the shank of the hook, as shown in this figure.

Fig. 16 shows the hook after having e11- gaged the crossed over strand and rotated through a one-quarter revolution in the op eration of twisting the strand about the hook end.

Fig. 17 shows the strand twisted about the hook end and about to be drawn through the main loop.

Fig. 18 illustrates the formation of the temporary loop drawn through the main loop 'with the stands of the temporary loop still crossed by reason of the aforesaid twisting operation.

Fig. 19 shows the hook reversely rotated through a'half revolution, uncrossing the strands, and also illustrates the exhausted thread hook passed through the temporary loop and engaging the exhausted thread to draw it through the temporary loop.

Fig. 19 shows the exhausted thread drawn through the temporary loop and held by its clamp.

Figs. 19 and 19 illustrate the disengagement of the temporary loop from the reserve thread hook.

Figs. 20, 20 and 20 illustrate the operation of drawing a bight of the exhausted thread through the main loop to form the second permanent loop, these views being taken from the side of the knotter post opposite that shown in Figs. 19 and 19.

Fig. 20 shows the operation of tightening the knot.

Figs. 21 to 27 illustrate more in detail the relative positions of the parts in certain of the foregoing operations, as follows:

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary front elevational view illustrating the arts in the position of'engaging the crossed strands preparatory to forming the temporary loop.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the knotter post and reserve thread hook together with a member for positioning the crossed over strand for engagement by the hook to form the temporary loop.

Fig. 23 is a view of the parts in the same narrator positions but looking from the inner side of the knotter mechanism, as in Fig. 3.

Figs. 2a and 25 are fragmentary Views illustrating the operation of twisting the crossed strands of the reserve thread around the hook for purposes of drawing it through the main loop to form the temporary loop.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the parts after having formed the temporary loop and illustrating the exhausted thread engaged by its hook just prior to inserting the exhausted thread into the secondary loop.

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary eievational view illustrating the parts in the position shown in Fig. 21 but looking in a direction at right angles thereto from the inner side of the lmotter mechanism.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary elevational view of the knot partially completed showing the exhausted thread inserted through the temporary loop and ready to be drawn through the main loop which still is positioned on the knotter post.

Fig. 29 is an elevational view of the knot formed by straightening out the temporary loop and forming the second permanent loop passing through the main loop and en circling the crossed over strand thereof.

Figs. 30 and 31 are elevational views of opposite sides of the completed knot.

Fig. 32 is a time table illustrating the sequence of operation of the various mechanisms by the controlling cam.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A designates the frame of a winder having a track A upon which a winder tender mechanism G is mounted for travel. D indicates one of a series of yarn masses or cheeses mounted upon the winder through the medium of arms such as E. Spaced some distance below the cheeses l) and suitably supported upon the winder framework is a series of holders (not shown) for bobbins containing threads which are to be wound upon the cheeses. These threads are termed the reserve threads and one such thread is indicated in Fig. 1 at a. As set forth in thesaid Patent to Colman, No. 1,267,977, winder tender mechanism includes a down-take arm indicated at F which operates to carry the loose end of the thread from the yarn mass or cheese D downwardly into the path of movement of the knotter mechanism, indicated generally by the character G, also mounted. upon the winder tender mechanism. This loose thread from the yarn mass is termed the exhausted thread, being indicated at b (Fig. 1).

The knotter mechanism G is enclosed, in

the present embodiment, within a frame 1 and 3) of substantially rectangular for the knotter mechanism extends vertically through the frame, substantially centrally thereof, as indicated at2 (Figs. 3 and 5), suitable bearings 3 and at being provided for this shaft in the upper and lower sections of the frame. Fast upon this shaft within the frame 1 is an operating cam 5 with which the variousv mechanisms of the knotter are associated so as to operate in properly timed relation. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that the knotter mechanism G moves with the winder tender in a horizontal plane, and in such movement it is arranged to engage with the reserve thread 0; and with the exhausted thread 6. The knotter mechanism comprises suitable clamps for engaging and holding the vertically disposed reserve thread a at spaced points therein and also for clamping the exhausted thread 6, for purposes of the knot tying operation.

Referring nowto Figs. 4 and 10, the present embodiment of the knotter mechanism comprises an upper clamp and shear for the reserve thread, indicated generally by the numeral 6, and a lower clamp indicated generally by the numeral 7. The upper one of these devices comprises a pair of stationary plates 8 and 8 and a movable shear blade 9 (Fig. 11) supported in a manner hereinafter described." The plate 8 and blade 9 are provided with coacting cutting edges, and the arrangement is such that after the thread end is severed the thread remains clamped between the plate 8" and the blade until subsequently released. Preferably the 1 blade 9 is serrated adjacent its cutting edge as best shown in Fig. 20 to assist in clamping the thread. Said blade 9 is carried upon the forwardend of an arm 10 pivoted between its ends at 11 (Figs. 3 and 5) and carr in at its rear end a roller 12 en a in in a peripheral groove 13 in the cam, the bottom of which is shaped to accomplish the reciprocationv of the blade 9 at the proper times to shear and clamp and to release the thread. A spring 14 tends at all times to hold the roller 12 against the bottom of its groove 13. For guiding the blade in its movements, I provide an outwardly projecting tongue 9 thereon spaced a short distance rearwardly from the free end of the blade and sliding between the plates 8 and 8 (Figs. 8 and 11).

The lower clamp 7 (Figs. 10 and 13) consists of a pair of plates 15 and 16 between which operates a clamping finger 17 to clamp and hold the thread. This finger 17 is arranged to be actuated in the movement of a lever 18 pivoted between its ends at 19 (Figs. 4 and 6) and having a roller 20 at its outer end operating in a groove 21 in the under face of the cam 5. Said lever 18 carries near forward end a pin 22 which is adapted to engage camsurfaces 23, 23

and 25, rigid with the finger 17 and provided in the present instance by means of a plate 24 pivoted at 2 1 and having its central portion cut away in such a Way as to form such cam surfaces. As the lever 18 moves rearwardly the pin engages the cam surfaces 23 and 23 to move the finger 17 in an outward direction into engagement with the plates 15 and 16; and, as the lever moves forwardly, the pin engages the cam surfaces 25, 25 to effect the return of the finger to its initial or open position. The arm 18 while thus serving to operate the clamping finger 17, has for an additional function the support of a slack takeaip device for the reserve thread, to be presently described.

For guiding the reserve thread a into the clamps 6 and 7, I preferably provide adjacent to the upper clamp a guide member 26 (Figs. 5 and13) formed integral with the plate 8 at the inner end thereof, and rigid with the plates 15 and 16 of the lower clamp a pair of inwardly inclined curved guide members 27. These guides 27 are formed near the outer edges of the plates 15 and 16 so that they serve to position the thread upon the forward edges of said plates in position to be engaged by the finger 17 operating between the plates.

Itwill be understood that the clamping devices 6 and 7 operate in timed relation whereby properly to hold and release the thread. Just prior to the time that the lower clamp 7 operates to grip and hold the thread, slack is provided in the thread sufficient for the subsequent knot-forming 0p oration, by means of a slack take-up member 28 (Figs. 6 and'13), which is in the form of a hook and is carried by the outer end of the lever 18 which operates the clamping finger 17. This member 28 operates between the plate 16 of the lower clamp 7 and a plate 29 mounted in spaced relation thereto upon a stationary support 29 and yieldingly held by a spring 30 in a normal position with its forward edge substantially flush with the forward edge of the plate 16. The spring 30 is anchored at one end to the plate 29 and at its other end to a screw 29 entered through a slot 29 in the plate and into the support 29. The shape of the groove 21 is such that immediately prior to the gripping of the thread by the clamp 7, the slack take-up hook 28 engages the thread and moving rearwardly between the plates 16 and 29 formsa loop therein, as shown in Fig. 13, to provide the necessary slack in the thread for the knot-tying operation. The plate 29 by reason of the yielding character of its mounting is capable of compensating for any slight excess slack which may be desired in said knot tying operation, thus avoiding any breakage of the thread.

Referring now to Fi s. 4 and 5, the reserve thread is now rea y to be engaged by inner end of a shaft 32 rotatably and slidably supported in suitable bearings 33 and 34 near the forward side of the frame for the combined reciprocatory and rotatory movements which are imparted thereto in the operation of tying the knot. The means for reciprocating the hook comprises a lever 35 pivoted at its rear end as at 36 and having between its ends a roller 37 (Fig. 2) engaging in a groove 38 (Fig. 5) in the upper face of the cam 5. The forward end of this lever operatively engages between a pair of collars 39 fast upon the shaft 32 so as to permit of the rotary movements of the shaft.

Rotation of the shaft is effected in the present instance by means of a toothed segment 40 (Fig. 2) meshing with an elongated pinion 41 rigid with the shaft 32. Said segment is carried by the forward end of a lever 12 pivoted at its rear end as at 43 and having between its ends a roller 4A (Fig. 5) engaging in a peripheral groove 45 in the cam 5. As indicated in Fig. 1, this groove 45 is arranged to effect the up and down movements of the segment 10, and the arrangement is such that the shaft 41 and hence the hook 31 may be rotated through one complete revolution and back to its initial position for a purpose which will presently be apparent.

Initially the hook 31 projects inwardly toward the winder tender mechanism, occupying a position (Fig. 4:) such that the reserve thread when engaged by the clamps 6 and 7, is disposed directly in the path of movement of the hook. Immediately after the movement of the thread into the clamps, the hook is moved outwardly relative to the winder tender mechanism, causing the thread to move with it. Thus the main loop a (Fig. 10) is formed. In such initial outward movement of the hook 31, it is also caused to rotate through degrees whercby to cross one of the strands over the other. In the present instance the hook, when viewed as in Figs/3 and 13, rotates in a clockwise direction, so that the portion of the thread held by the lower clamp constitutes the crossed strand.

Following the outward movement of the hook 31 to form the main loop a, the

knotter post 4.6, which constitutes a pivotal point around which the knot is tied, is moved laterally from a position in a plane rearwardly of the hook to a position in a plane forwardly thereof (compare Figs. 13 and 14). This post is carried in a vertically disposed position by the inner end of a bell crank lever 47 pivoted between its ends at 4:7 (Fig. 6) and carrying at the end of a rearwardly extending portion a roller 48 aerator operating in a groove as in the under tace or the earn 5. The inner end of the lever 47 (Fig. l) is in the torm of a yoke in which the post 46 is mounted for up and down movement. Said post may be of any suit able construction, being herein formed from a wire of relatively heavy auge, and preterably it tapers gradually to a point'at its upper end. Between its ends the wire is bent to form ran eye 50 to receive a pin 51- carried upon the forward end of a lever 52 (Figs. 3 and d) the rear end oil which is pivotally mounted at 53 and which is arranged to be moved up and down by a roller 5d (Fig. 4;) operating in a cam groove 55 in the periphery ot the cam 5.

As above indicated, after the outward movement of the hook. 31 is completed, a lateral forward movement isimparted to the post 46 which serves to bend the two strands of the main loop a partially around the post, as shown clearly in Figs. 14 and 23. At the same time the hook, now tacing rearwardly, moves inwardly past the rear side of the post into position to engage the crossed-over strand of the main loop to draw a bight thereof around the post and outwardly to form the secondary loop. The portion of the strand which is thus drawn around the anchoring post constitutes an anchoring loop a for the thread a. To enable the hook thus to engage the crossed over strand, it provide in the present instance a three-positioning device comprising a forwardly projecting fin er 56 carried by the rear end of an arm 5 (Fig. 3) which extends first rearwardly and then downwardly for pivotal support between its ends at 58. The extreme rear end of the arm carries a roller 59 engaging with-a cam surface 60 upon the under side of the earn 5, and the roller 59 is normally held to the cam surface 60 by a coiled contractile spring 61 which is anchored to a post 62 suitably mounted in the frame.

The arrangement is such in the present instance that as the hook 31 moves slowly inwardly, the finger 56 moves upwardly quite rapidly to carry the crossed strand above the hook (broken linesFig. l5). lhe latter now moves outwardly into engagement with the crossed strand, and then it is given also a rotary movement through an additional 186 degrees to the position shown in Figs. 16, 1'1? and 24. Such additional r0-' tary movement serves to twist the strand about the end or the hook, as clearly indirated in Fig. 17,- so that inv the continued outward movement of the hook the crossed strand is drawn through the main loo a", which nowencircles the shank of the hook 3i, to term the temporary loop as (Fig. 18). During such outward movement of the hook to form the;,-temporary loop a the hook is revereelyzi'otated through 180 degrees to untwist the strands of the temporary loop caused by the twisting operation above mentioned, so as properly to position the temporary loop for the insertion of the emhausted thread 6 through the temporary loop (Figs. 19 and 26).

At this point in the operation of the mechanism the down-take arm F (Fig. l) operates to can the end ot the exhausted thread i) into ine knotter mechanism and the means for inserting the thread through the temporary loop. This means comprises a hook 68 (Figs. 5 9 and ll) extending torwarolly from the inner end or one arm of a bell crank lever 6d pivoted at 65 and carrying at the tree end of its other arm a roller 66 operating in'a cam roove 67 in the upper face oil the cam 5. aid groove is shaped so as to efiect the reciprocation of the hook in a front to rear direction, and the hook is arranged .to slide between a pair of plates 68 and 69 (Figs. 3, 8 and 9) conveniently supported in the frame near the upper innor portion thereof in a manner to be presently described. The plate 69 is rovided at its forward end with asharpene or cutting edge 69* shown clearly in Fig. 9, adapt ed to coact witha cutting edge 63 upon the hook,-whereby in the operation of clamping the exhausted thread it is at the same time severed; The "forward edge of the plate 68 on the other hand, as well as the edge of the hook on the side opposite the edge 63% are rounded so that while the thread is severed between the hook and the plate 69 it is merely clamped by the plate 68 and the hook.

When the exhausted thread has thus been inserted into the temporary loop a ot the reserve thread, tension is placed upon the,

lit

reserve thread held by the lower clamp 7, i

to withdraw the temporary loop through the main loop a carrying with it a bight of the exhausted thread (Fig. 28) and forming in the latter the second permanent loop 6'.

Mill) in this operation the exhausted thread is released from its hook and clamping plate 68 by imparting an additional rearward movement to the hook to carry the end portion of thehook opposite a recess 70 formed in the face of the plate 68. As the thread clamped between the hook and the plate moves into this recess, it obviously becomes released. q

- Preferably means is provided for guiding the, eahausted thread with respect to the parts or the knotter mechanism which areto operate thereon, and means is also provided for clamping (but not shearing the exhausted thread when it has thus een positioned. The clamping means comprises a pair of spaced plates 71 and 72 (Figs. 7, 8 and 10) supported in vertically spaced rela tion above a third plate 73. All of said plates, with suitable spacer blocks,'a.re rigidrit ltd

1y secured upon the under side of a downward extension 7 4: of the top member of the frame 1 by means of a screw and dowel pins 75; and the plates extend forwardly i and inwardly (Fig. 5) from the frame extension 74. The plates 71 and 72 are secured together for relative yielding movement by means of a headed stud 76 secured to the plate 72 and carrying an expansion spring 7 6 bearing between the head of the stud and the plate 71. The plate 73 has a portion extending inwardly near its forward end. Thus there is provided a forwardly facing shoulder 73 adapted to be engaged by the exhausted thread while the extreme forward end of the plate provides a shoulder 73* adapted to guide the thread against outward movement.

Between said plates 71 and 72 operates a clamping finger 77 carried upon the inner end of a bell crank lever 7 8 (Fig. 5) pivoted at 79 and carrying at the free end of its other arm a r0 ler 80 held in operative enagement with the periphery of the cam 5 by a spring 81 (Fig. 5). Said peripheral surface of the cam is provided with a groove 82 which is adapted to effect the movement of the finger 77 at the proper time to clamp the exhausted thread during the operation of insertin the end thereof through the temporary loop a and forming the second permanent loop 6', as above described. Preferably the plates 71 and 72 are rovided with notches 83 therein (Fig. 5) a apted to coact with the hooked end of the finger 77 whereby to clamp the exhausted thread in proper position.

For further guiding the exhausted thread for engagement by the hook 63, I employ a guide member providing a projection 84 and a shoulder 85. This guide member is positioned adjacent the clamping member 26 of the upper reserve thread clamp 6, with its outer edge spaced laterally a short distance inwardly from the shoulder 73 (Fig. 10). Also the projection is spaced outwardly from the member 26, as shown in Figs. 5 and 10, so as to form between it and the member 26 a path of movement for the knotter post 46. As shown in Fig. 10 this guide member 84: is located immediately above the exhausted thread book 63; and the guide member 26 is preferably bent downwardly from its support on the plate 8 into substantial. alinement with the member 84 (Fig. 7

For providing slack in the exhausted thread sufficient to enable the formation of the second permanent loop 6, aslack-takeup device is provided comprising a finger 86 f(Figs. 10 and 27) shaped like the clamping nger 77 (Fig. 5) and disposed between the plate 72 and the plate 7 8 which is mounted beneath the plate 72 in spaced relation thereto. The finger 86 is carried by a bell crank lever 87 (Fig. 4:) mounted upon the pivot post 79 which carries the lever 78. This lever 87 carries a roller 88 located directly beneath the roller 80, which is held by a contractile spring 89 anchored to the plate 73 (Fig. 5), in engagement with the outer periphery of the cam 5. The latter is provided with a cam groove 90 (Fig. 5) to effect the reciprocation of the finger 86. Said groove is shaped so that as the finger 77 operates to clamp the thread, the finger 86 operates to provide the desired slack therein.

Referrmg now to Figs. 7 to 10, the construction provided in the present instance for supporting the stationary parts of the upper reserve thread clamp, the clam) and shear for the exhausted thread, an the guides 26 and 84 for both threads will now be described. From the depending portion 74 of the frame 1, I provide a downward extension 91, (Figs. 7 and 8), upon the under side of which is rigidly secured the plate 8 (Fig. 9) of the upper reserve thread clamp. Below this plate and in spaced relation thereto is mounted the plate 8 carrying the guide member 26, the space between said plates being occupied by the guide tongue 9 on the blade 9. Below the guide member 26 is a plate 84: carrying the guide member 8st for the exhausted thread, and the plates 68 and 69 for the exhausted thread hook clamp are mounted in spaced relation below the plate 84 so as to receive between them the hook 63. All of the plates thus referred to are secured upon the underside of the plate 8 by means of a stud 92 rigid with said plate 8 and carrying a head 93 between which and the plate 69 is coiled about the stud an expansion spring 94:. Relative rotation between the plates is prevented by suitable dowel pins 95.

Referring to Fig. 32, I have shown a time table illustrating the movements effected by the cam 5. The various cam surfaces are laid out in such a manner asto illustrate the relative movements which are imparted to the various parts of the knotter mechanism but indicating only the beginning and ending of each movement without attempting to represent accurately the rate of movement between such points. Briefly, the parts move in substantially the following order to accomplish the knot-tying operation:

Assuming the parts to be in their initial position (Fig. 4) with the reserve thread hook in its innermost position, the thread clamps open, and the knotter post 46 in its uppermost position and rearwardly of the hook 31; said hook is actuated by the lever 35 (Fig. 4) and cam roller 37 (Fig. 2) so as to move outwardly into engagement with the reserve thread with which the upper and lower reserve thread clamps 6 and 7 have engaged in the travel of the winder tender mechanism.

During this movement (not shown).

merger of the book 81 the reserve thread slack-takeup member :28 is actuated by the lever 18 and cam roller 20 (Fig. 6) so as to move rearwardly to provide the desired slack in the reserve thread; and at about the same time the lower reserve thread clamping finger l'iis moved by the pin 22 on the lever 18, engaging the cam surfaces 23 and 23, whereby to grip and hold the thread. As the member 28 finishes its said movement, the member 9 of the upper reserve thread clamp and shear device 6 is operated by the lever 10 (Fig. 5) to clamp the reserve thread near its upper end and sever the free end which passes into a suction tube 96 (Fig. 4) cornmunicat-ing with a suitable vacuum pump The said rearward movement of the book 31 serves to form the main loop a in the reserve thread; and near the end of such movement the hook is caused to rotate through 180 degrees by the operation of the lever 42, segment (Fig. 2) and pinion 41 on the shaft 82, whereby to cross one strand of the loop over the other (Fig. 13).

At the end of the inward movement of the hook 31 and after its rotation through a halt revolution, the knotter post 46 is moved forwardly (Fig. 14) by the operation of the lever 47 and its roller 48 operating in the cam groove 49 (Fig. 6). At the same time, inward movement is imparted to the reserve thread hook by its lever 35, roller 37 and cam groove 38. In this movement, the main loop a slides over the shank of the book 31 partially encircling it, as shown in Fig. 15;

and the member 56 acts to position the crossed strand of the thread through the operation of the lever 57 (Fi 3) and its roller 59 engaging the cam surface 60 on the underside of the cam groove. The arrangement is such thatin the inward movement of the hook the member 56 raises the crossed strand so that the hook passes thereunder, and then before the hook moves outwardly lowers the strand, causing it to bend downwardly directly in the path of movement of the hook (Fig. 15). Accordingly as the hook now moves outwardly, the crossed its outward movement, carrying the twisted strand through the loop a and thus forming the temporary loop a (Fig. 18). In this operation of thus forming the main loop a and the temporary loop a the movements or the knotter post and the thread book are coordinated so that the thread is maintained under the proper tension without the aid of the take-up. member 28, except that it acts to let out a small amount of slack during the latter portion of this operation.

As the hook 31 completes its said outward movement, the knotter post 46 is moved rearwardly to its initial position; and at the end of such outward movement of the hook it is caused to rotate reversely through a halt revolution (Fig. 19) so as to untwist the crossed over strand of the reserve thread and to position the temporary loop a for the operation of inserting therethrough the exhausted thread which is now carried into the knotter mechanism by the downtake arm F of the winder tender mechanism.

In this operation the exhausted thread hook 68 first moves forwardly through the operation of the lever 64, roller 66 and cam groove 67 (Fig. 5) and, passing through the temporary loop (1 seizes the exhausted thread which has been positioned by the operation of the down-take arm F of the winder tender mechanism. Said hook 63, moving rearwardly carries the exhausted thread into engagement with the plates 68 and 69, severing thelree end thereof but continuing to hold..the thread. At substantially the same time, the slack take-up device 86 operates to provide slack in the exhausted thread for the formation of the second permanent loop I), and the finger 77 of the upper exhausted thread clamp operates to grip the thread. Such movements of the slack take-up device 86 and finger 77 are efiected through the operation of the levers 78 (Fig. 5) and 87 (Fig. 10) by their respective rollers 80 and 88 operating in the cam grooves 82 and 90.

The next operation is'that of drawing the two main loops at and Z) into opposed relation, releasing, the loop a? from the hook 31 and withdrawing the knotter post 46 While tightening the knot. In this operation, the knotter post 46 is moved forwardly (Fig.

19 and the hook 31 is simultaneously moved inwardly past the rear side of the post and rotated through a quarter revolu tion toward its initial position. This rota tory and inward movement of the book 31, combined with the forward movement of the knotter post efi'ects the release of the loop a (Fig. 19). As-the hook member then moves outwardly, tension is placed upon the reserve thread by the operation of the member 28, and the exhausted thread slack takeup device 86 operates'to let out slack. The temporary loop a is thus withdrawn through the main loop a (Fig. 20) as the latter is wrapped around one side of the knotter post 46, and the temporary loop (1? becomes straightened out or dissolved with the result that the second permanent loop b is formed, encircling the crossed-over strand of the main loop (Figs. 20 and 20 and disposed on the opposite side of the knottcr post. As yet the several clamps have not 

